Exciting first day of school day for many students in Rochester

ROCHESTER — Wednesday marked a day of firsts for many ¿ the first time using an iPad, meeting new friends, noticing a newly-planted tree and maybe even saying goodbye to Mom and Dad.

As the first official day of school came and went in Rochester, students were brimming and bustling, with parents, teachers and administrators remarking how smoothly the day had gone at all the local schools. Rochester Middle School offered an orientation to its sixth-grade students, Spaulding High School freshman took in their new experiences and the Maple Street Magnet School held an opening ceremony in honor of the day.

Having been in session already for the last 16 days as the state's first-ever magnet school, which extends the school year by 20 days and offer near daily French tutoring, Maple Street students stood on the front lawn of their campus, singing songs for dozens of attendees. A maple leaf ribbon was cut off the school's maple tree and the lyrics of "Bonjour Tout Le Monde" and "La Vie est. Belle" filled the neighborhood.

Grandparents of second-grade student Garrett Doucette, Roger and June Guptill of North Berwick, Maine, said they were excited for the occasion.

Staff members, some current and some who previously worked at the school, handed out maple-flavored cookies as Principal Robin Brown said she was amazed at how much her students had already learned.

Inside the school, students presented three displays of "The Past," "The Present" and "The Future" in various classrooms, each one highlighting the history of the school, the current activities of the school, and a time capsule they hoped to hide in the walls or bury before unveiling 20 years from the day.

Superintendent Michael Hopkins stood before the Maple Street school saying he was greatly pleased with how every schools' first day had turned out.

"Everyone's very excited," he said.

Principal of the McClelland School Michelle McAlister stood in her cafeteria, pointing out fourth- and fifth-graders who volunteered to assist younger students with their lunch, especially in opening tricky milk cartons. Rochester Middle School Principal Valerie McKenney said the school day was "flawless," with sixth-graders attending and seventh-and eighth-graders expected to start today.

She walked around the school, showcasing classrooms involved in "get to know you" games with students, to put them at ease.

"The kids are nervous, but that's part of growing up," McKenney said. "We talk about that when they come in, that feeling nervous is normal. You should feel nervous. This is your first day in a new school!"

Freshmen Cassandra Davis and Melanie Lanoie, both 14, waited for rides home outside Spaulding High School saying they were really looking forward to the rest of the year, once they didn't get lost inside a new building anymore. Biology teacher John Duplinsky said he was greatly looking forward to the day, so he could see old friends and meet his new classes.

"It's a reunion for the teachers, as much as it is a reunion for students," he said.

At the Maple Street Magnet School, second-grader Hannah Raab, 7, proudly pointed to some collages and drawings she had made of "the past," noting in 1931, the school was built for a little more than $71,000. Her mother stood by after the ceremony, adding Raab's father attended second-grade in the same classroom when he was his daughter's age.

Abigail Kesselring, 9, Jessie Fader, 8, and Olivia Fieldsend, 9, of the school's project-based learning group devoted to journalism and news creation, stood in the halls, excitedly asking those roaming the halls what drew them to the school, and what they had seen so far. All three, along with others in their designated project group, sported large yellow press passes and took notes like dutiful reporters.

School Board member Anthony Pastelis, who led the plans in designing the magnet school, said he was thrilled at the day's festivities and ceremony, and many of the children's enthusiasm for learning.

"The kids are just amazing," he said, referencing how much French that the Maple Street students seemed to have already picked up. "The children have learned so much ¿ The kids deserve this, and so do the parents."

Third-grade teacher Mary Glidden added it seemed her students were looking forward to school every day.

"They had a great time today, and the whole time, they were learning," she said.